I'm new here, but just want to say I love bichirs. I picked up my first senegal a month or so ago and hes up to about 5 inches and constantly active. Then last week, I picked up a smaller albino senegal, not quite as active but still an awesome fish. Then yesterday, I picked up a 6 inch ornate. Absolutely gorgeous...if I could find him...I saw him in the 55 last night so I know he was there when I went to bed. This morning, my senegal is missing a piece of tail but I can't find the ornate anywhere. Are they really that good at hiding? I know they are supposed to me mainly nocturnal, but is it possible to bring them out in the day more by feeding during the day? Right now they are in a slightly overcrowded 55, with a 55 getting set up for them hopefully by the weekend. (just need canopy and it will be ready to set up. By slightly overcrowded, it currently houses a a jaguar, a dempsy, a gold saum, a convict, a severum, a firemouth, a pleco, and the bichirs. (all of the SA/CA are 2 inches or less and it's just a temporary thing. I have a few other tanks waiting for them to go in as soon as there set up.
Picked up a beautiful ornate
- Thread starter jdryden
- Start date
Bichirs are escape artists. Make sure you check the floors in the room... then check inside the tank. Welcome to the hobby, and I'm sure you'll find it as rewarding as the rest of us.
As far as the feeding thing... I fed mine for a month straight at 10pm on the dot. I started noticing a change in behavior at 10... more activity as if they were searching for food. You might be able to get them to come out more. But remember, ornates really aren't one of the most active fish, so I wouldn't worry too much yet.
Keeper*
As far as the feeding thing... I fed mine for a month straight at 10pm on the dot. I started noticing a change in behavior at 10... more activity as if they were searching for food. You might be able to get them to come out more. But remember, ornates really aren't one of the most active fish, so I wouldn't worry too much yet.
Keeper*
i noticed this at well. they came to expect food at certain times of the day and get more active around that time.Keeper of the Ropes;1124715;1124715 said:
I feed my Dehelzi during the day around 4:00 p.m. and he is very, very active. He will eat out of my hand which is pretty cool. I had him in a tank with another cichlid but he just wouldn't get enough food so I put him in a tank by himself. I would feed at night because the cichlids you mentioned might out compete the birchirs who seem to eat food mainly from the bottom of the tank.
If I were you i would check everything in the tank small enough for the bichir to hide in. take it out of the tank and shake it. Sometimes fish will crawl into the smallest places.
If that fails the check the floor and all around the tank. Bichirs are notorious escape artists.
Welcome to the hobby. Now your'e addicted!
If that fails the check the floor and all around the tank. Bichirs are notorious escape artists.
Welcome to the hobby. Now your'e addicted!
Welcome to the forum jdryden! 
IME, ornates can be conditioned to be more active by removing hiding spots that they can completely conceal themselves in.
Instead, offer some driftwood with branches that they can duck under but are still in full view.
On top of that, only feed when lights are on.
HTH
IME, ornates can be conditioned to be more active by removing hiding spots that they can completely conceal themselves in.
Instead, offer some driftwood with branches that they can duck under but are still in full view.
On top of that, only feed when lights are on.
HTH
Well, I did finally find him. After hunting top to bottom and side to side, under around and as far in to things as I could he wound up WAAAY up in a fake rock formation. I was worried about him escaping all day and when I got home, I decided that it was time to disassemble some to see if he was in there. I pulled it out and lightly shook it, and I heard him flop a bit. Once he came out, he stayed out....Had me worried, but gave me new reason to get my bichir tank up and running. I'll see if I can get a pic, I am still getting a
Well, I did finally find him. After hunting top to bottom and side to side, under around and as far in to things as I could he wound up WAAAY up in a fake rock formation. I was worried about him escaping all day and when I got home, I decided that it was time to disassemble some to see if he was in there. I pulled it out and lightly shook it, and I heard him flop a bit. Once he came out, he stayed out....Had me worried, but gave me new reason to get my bichir tank up and running. I'll see if I can get a pic, I am still getting the hang of underwater pics.
